‘What do you mean?’ Not for the first time, Silvius blushed fiercely. The amulet was the most precious thing he owned. It had been given to him by Lavinia’s father Latinus to mark his tenth year.

‘Imagine – Aeneas sends men after you. They hear of a young boy who’s been trading costly silver pieces and an amulet made by Latin craftsmen.’

‘Well, what have you got?’ He pushed the silver back amongst his other belongings.

Elissa tipped out some corals, tin, and other cheap things.

Silvius was suddenly aware of the Arrowhead around his neck, and he concealed it beneath his tunic, feeling its surprising weight hang against his skin. Also heavy at his side was his new sword.

‘Look. This is our story.’ Elissa spoke softly. ‘We need passage to Achaea to visit our cousins. We’re the children of simple traders. We have things to trade for our passage.’

It was a good plan. ‘We can offer help too,’ Silvius suggested. ‘I’m sure they’d be pleased to have extra hands.’

‘You’ve never been on a boat before,’ Elissa sniffed.

‘Neither have you!’

‘I have,’ said Elissa, jutting her chin out in defiance. ‘I’m always hanging about the boats on the lake.’

‘That – that’s different.’

‘Well, I’ve done more than you.’

‘Look, just hide the wolf cub, all right?’

‘His name is Ruffler,’ she said. ‘Because of his ruff.’ She tickled his neck and nestled him back in the pack, leaving it open a little so that he could breathe, where he remained, uncomplaining, bright eyes blinking slowly.

Nobody was about on the streets. There were really only two: a wide road that led down to the harbour, and one running across it, with a shrine at the crossing point, along which were a few settlements. No lights burned in any of the windows, and no sounds came from anywhere.

They arrived at the harbour itself. The waves were licking the shoreline gently. And here, Silvius began to get worried.

Because the whole curved bay was empty.

Not a single ship lay at anchor. His plan was suddenly in ruins. They’d need to wait till morning, by which time they would almost certainly be found.

‘What do we do now?’ Silvius tried not to betray his annoyance. He thought how foolish he’d been. They should have joined up with a trade convoy on the road, then they would have been bound to find a ship.

But he couldn’t go home now. He was on Apollo’s mission, and it had to be carried out. He shuddered at the memory of the Enemy they’d killed in Lavinium.

‘We should wait till morning and ask the harbour master then,’ said Elissa. ‘We can find somewhere to sleep. Ruffler will keep us warm.’ She tipped him out of her pack and he stretched himself gladly, his blue eyes winking in the darkness.

‘We can’t waste time!’